Israeli Windsurfers Dominate World Championships with Gold and Silver

Israeli female windsurfers achieved a historic triumph at the iQFOiL World Championships in Weymouth, UK, securing both the gold and silver medals. Tamar Steinberg, 20, claimed her first world title, while Sharon Kantor, the 2024 world champion and Paris Olympics silver medalist, took second place. The bronze medal went to Italy's Medea Falchoni. This marks a significant achievement for Israel, with two athletes from the same nation occupying the top two spots.

Furthermore, four Israeli women finished in the top ten. Alongside Steinberg and Kantor, Shahar Tobi placed seventh and Daniela Peleg finished fourth in the final series. Steinberg's performance was nearly flawless, as the reigning European champion won seven of the 16 qualifying races and maintained a strong lead throughout the competition. She secured the title with a victory in the medal race, fulfilling her long-held ambition.

Steinberg described the win as a dream come true, stating, "I've wanted this for so long, and not everything you truly want happens. Wow." She added, "I was leading most of the week. I came to this competition with one goal and went for it from the start. But medal races are very difficult, anything can happen here."

Kantor's journey to silver was also notable. Starting the championship in 16th place, she steadily climbed the rankings to secure second. The final race effectively became an "Israeli derby" for the world crown. "I felt Kantor throughout the whole race," Steinberg recounted. "She had a better start, and we battled until the very end. I'm so happy for her, she's my teammate. We have such a strong team."

The Israeli team's depth was evident, with Tobi and Peleg also reaching the top ten. In the men's competition, Olympic champion Tom Reuveni and Yoav Omer also reached the medal series. Reuveni finished fifth overall after a race disqualification and restart, while Omer, who had led the men's standings earlier, finished eighth. In total, six Israeli athletes, four women and two men, placed in the top ten at the championships, which ran from September 3-12.

This victory caps an exceptional season for Steinberg, who also won the European Championship in May, ahead of Tobi. Israel departs Weymouth with a world gold and silver, four women in the top ten, and two men, solidifying their position as a dominant force in windsurfing.